by Marcia Sarnowski
Six WRLS library locations now have a hearing loop installed at one of their service desks, thanks to funding from a federal LSTA grant. The Winding Rivers Library System was awarded a 2011 grant in the category of public library accessibility.
The hearing loops are part of a larger project, which includes plans for improving accessibility at several other libraries, as well as these six. However, due to the current federal budget impasse, the LSTA grants have been funded at only 25% of the amount requested. Fortunately, the amount received by WRLS is enough to arrange for the installations of the loops at the intended sites: La Crosse County Library branches in Onalaska and West Salem; the Galesville Public Library; the Arcadia Free Public Library; the Elroy Public Library; and the Bekkum Memorial Library in Westby.
A hearing loop (also known as an induction loop or an audio loop) provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid wearer when the hearing aid is set to the ‘T’ (T-coil) setting. T-coils (telecoils) are tiny additions to hearing aids, which enable the hearing aid to serve as a customized, wireless loudspeaker for the wearer. The listener receives a clear signal without any background noise.
The hearing loop technology has been available in many European countries for over 70 years. In the US, advocates are beginning to promote the installation of hearing loops in large venues, such as churches, courtrooms and concert halls, and smaller spaces, such as meeting rooms and tour buses, and very small spaces: drive-up windows and information desks (such as library circulation and reference desks).
In Wisconsin, a very active group in the Fox Valley area has been led by Dr. Juliette Sterkens, an audiologist and hearing loop advocate. The public libraries in Appleton and Waupaca now have hearing loops, and Peg Burington (Waupaca Area PL) and Colleen Rortvedt (Appleton PL) will give a presentation at the 2011 WAPL Conference on Friday, May 6, about the benefit of having hearing loops in a library setting: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl/conferences/2011/program/index.htm#Friday
The six library locations in WRLS are receiving the S-Supa-M300 Supa Loop system from Contacta, installed by Commercial AV Systems in Onalaska, WI. This system is specifically designed for information desks, reception counters, and drive-through service windows. It is always “on”, so there is no need for patrons to request assistance with using it. The system is configured for a one-to-one conversation involving a counter/service person and the hearing aid wearer.
The looped space is identified by a hearing loop sign, which is wired to a small amplifier mounted under the service desk or counter. The counter staff person speaks into a standing microphone, and the sound is transmitted directly into the patron’s hearing aid, once it is switched to the T-coil setting. Patrons with a hearing loss can now have a comfortable exchange with library staff to register for a card, discuss their account, and ask their reference questions, with much more ease and clarity. Patrons without a hearing loss won’t notice any difference at all.
Here is a link to a hearing loop sound demonstration:
http://www.hearingloop.org/SoundDemo.html
For more information about hearing loops, visit the following links:
http://www.foxvalleyhearingloop.com/
To learn about hearing loop products, visit:
This project was made possible through an LSTA grant to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).